Franklin Leads Group of Dedicated Tigers in Early Practice

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COLUMBIA - While Missouri Football practice doesn't officially begin until August 4th, a group of dedicated Tigers braved the July heat Tuesday to get some extra practice.

Led by quarterback James Franklin, the Tigers took to the practice field for some seven-on-seven drills under the sweltering sun.

Franklin was joined by Preseason All Big-12 selection Michael Egnew, T.J. Moe, Wes Kemp, Jerrell Jackson and many others with the goal of making things click offensively.

"We have been building a good relationship with James [Franklin]," Jackson said. "He is a cool guy, his passes are beautiful. It's something not that hard to adjust to becuase he throws the ball so well. As receievers we are adjusting pretty well."

Yet while these Tigers try to put in some extra work before practice officially starts, in some ways it is not quite as easy to learn as much without coaches present.

"It's really hard to get a lot of work in because you don't have anyone coaching you," Moe said.

"If I run a route a certain way, I don't come back to the line with someone telling me I did it wrong. I try to talk to the defenders a little bit to see what works and doesn't work. If you can beat our defenders, you can beat most defenders out there because we have a pretty good defense."

Tight end Michael Egnew was not the lone Tiger to make the Preseason All Big-12 team. He was joined by defensive end Brad Madison and place kicker Grant Ressel.